On a bright morning earlier this month, Indian chess grandmasters gathered at Viswanathan Anand’s Chennai home, including the likes of Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and many others. The event felt like a chess “Avengers” gathering, but instead of focusing on world domination of the 64 squares, they came together to relax, enjoy traditional South Indian breakfast dishes, and share moments away from the chessboard. Anand’s home became a haven for camaraderie, with laughter filling the air and even a scavenger hunt for missing chess pieces for Vidit and his fiancée, Dr. Nidhi Kataria.
This gathering at Anand’s residence reflects his profound role in shaping India’s new generation of chess stars. Over the years, Anand has not only been a pioneer for Indian chess but has also become a mentor and guide for players like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, and others. Their careers have significantly benefited from Anand’s direct input and guidance, particularly through his academy, the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), which mirrors the legendary Botvinnik Chess School that nurtured world champions like Garry Kasparov.
WACA has brought together some of the brightest minds in chess, including experts like Grzegorz Gajewski (for opening theory), Sandipan Chanda (mid-game preparation), Artur Yusupov (endgame expertise), and Boris Gelfand (a chess legend). Anand’s academy has helped these players flourish by providing them with tailored training and support, often stepping in to shoulder financial burdens when necessary. For instance, he advised Gukesh to hire Gajewski as a full-time trainer, while also encouraging Vaishali to work with Chanda—both of whom were part of Anand’s team during his world championship campaigns.
Anand’s mentorship goes beyond technical advice. He’s been there for players during tough times as well. After Gukesh’s disappointing defeat in the final round of the 2022 Chess Olympiad, which cost India a gold medal, Anand spent hours with him to offer both emotional and strategic support. Similarly, during the 2023 World Championship, when Gukesh lost his first game to Ding Liren, Anand shared his own experiences of overcoming a similar loss to Veselin Topalov in 2010, reminding Gukesh that setbacks are part of the journey to success.
While chess may be a solitary pursuit, with players often traveling alone and focusing on individual performance, Anand has consistently made efforts to foster a sense of unity among India’s top players. Despite reducing his competitive appearances in recent years, Anand has taken it upon himself to play the role of mentor and guide, providing advice, team-building experiences, and creating opportunities for Indian chess players to connect.
Anand’s involvement has not been out of necessity; he could easily focus on his duties as a FIDE Deputy President or continue to make global appearances as a brand ambassador for chess. However, Anand has chosen to invest time and energy into nurturing the next generation of Indian chess champions, essentially becoming the “Godfather” of India’s golden generation of chess.
Through Anand’s dedication, Indian chess has experienced a sense of community that is rare in the competitive world of chess. While rivalries certainly exist—Gukesh once described his fellow Indian prodigies as “frenemies”—there is also a deep mutual respect that balances professional competition with genuine camaraderie. In a world where individual success often overshadows teamwork, Anand has helped build a unified and supportive chess community in India.
In earlier years, Anand was often underestimated by rivals who thought his politeness would hinder his competitiveness. But over time, he has proven that kindness and respect for others can coexist with fierce determination and a strategic mind. Today, Anand’s legacy is not just one of victories, but of mentorship, community-building, and nurturing future generations of chess champions in India.
